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New iPhone 3GS Available June 19, added attractive features

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:04:40 +0100

Apple’s recently released iPhone 3G S is at last generation phone. This new iPhone has attractive features. Everyone can like to buy this Apple product. If you’re Apple iPhone exiting user or new user, should buy it.

Because new iPhone to compared old iPhone not very faster. iPhone 3G S a faster processor and speeds graphics through hardware support for OpenGL ES 2.0. It operates two to three times faster than the first- and second-generation iPhone hardware. For example web pages often load slowly on the iPhone 3G. Processor speed is to blame for that, rather than network performance.

iPhone 3G S two new models hold 16 GB ($199) and 32 GB ($299). It’s video very fast capture and will a lot of storage fast. The camera also supports 3-megapixel images and more etc attractive features as like Voice Memos, Now you can share the 3G connection on your iPhone with your Mac notebook or PC laptop, With a built-in digital compass, iPhone 3G S can point the way. Use the new Compass app, or watch as it automatically reorients maps to match the direction you’re facing.

Apple iPhone will release on June 19, 2009. It’s announced the officially by Apple.

Apple job posting hints at 3G Macs, or maybe just nothing

Wed, 06 May 2009 20:45:34 +0100

Apple recently posted a job listing looking for a Communications QA Engineer to work with its Mac Hardware Group. The listing indicated that candidates should have "in-depth knowledge of one or more Comms technologies," including "3G Wireless WAN." The listing has predictably added fuel to rumors that Apple plans to release MacBooks with built-in 3G networking.

AT&T's Glenn Lurie hinted earlier this year that he would be interested in offering a 3G-equipped MacBook to AT&T customers. Additionally, rumors last month hinted that MacBooks with internal 3G networking hardware might make an appearance at WWDC in June. And, of course, there's the indomitable rumor of a MacBook/iPhone-hybrid iTablet with built-in 3G to contend with.

But really, the listing doesn't specifically say that the position requires 3G knowledge. An ideal candidate could have requisite knowledge of "one or more" of the following as well: "Gigabit Ethernet for consumer and enterprise-class workstations, Bluetooth v2.0, [or] Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n." Further, Apple includes drivers for many 3G networking cards and USB devices in Mac OS X, which would require QA testing work to be done.

It's certainly possible Apple would look to integrate 3G networking into a MacBook update—several PC manufactures offer it as an option on some laptop models. But this job listing is not exactly the strongest evidence that Apple plans on doing so any time soon.

News source: Ars Technica

Would you pay $849 for a new MacBook?

Sun, 03 May 2009 18:29:53 +0100

A report last week that Apple (AAPL) is preparing to slash prices on its entry level MacBook and iMac models has triggered a flurry of speculation about what the new price points might be.

According to AppleInsider’s Kasper Jade, Apple sees the cuts — which could come in the next month or two — as an “interim solution” to the growing popularity of netbooks, those sub-compact laptops that Steve Jobs once dismissed as “a piece of junk” but which are flying off the shelves at $299 to $349 apiece.

For example Acer, whose Aspire One netbooks are Amazon’s bestsellers, saw its U.S. market share grow 49.4% (to 13.6%) in the first quarter of 2009, according to Gartner Research, even as Apple’s share shrank to 7.4%, down 1% year to year. Mac sales actually fell last quarter for the first time in nearly six years.

How low will Apple go to turn that around? Jade’s reporting — based on unnamed sources “familiar with the matter” — is fuzzy on that point, but in the comment stream he makes it clear that he’s talking about price reductions in the range of $100 to $150.

Applying these cuts to the current entry-level machines, we get:

White 13-inch MacBook: $849 - $899, reduced from $999
20-inch 2.66 GHz aluminum iMac: $969 - $1,019, reduced from $1,119

With gross margins last quarter of 36.4% — up from 34.7% in Q1 — Apple can certainly afford to sacrifice some profit to grow share. As AppleInsider points out, Apple last month started selling 2GHz iMacs to the education market for $899.

News source: CNNMoney.com

Safari, OS X maintain browser share in April; iPhone climbs

Sat, 02 May 2009 17:39:55 +0100

Net Applications has released its compiled browser use data for the month of April, and the news is pretty good for Apple. Despite an arguable small downtick in market share for the quarter as measured by unit sales, Net Applications shows the share of users using Safari or Mac OS X to surf the Web holding steady for the first month of this quarter. The iPhone OS platform continues to gain share online, while Windows and IE continue a slow but steady decline.

Net Applications recorded an 8.21 percent browser share for Safari for April, a hair lower than the 8.23 percent measured in March, but still higher than the 8.02 percent share from February. Both Firefox and Chrome saw upticks for the month, while Microsoft's browser saw a decline, even after the release of IE 8.

When measuring operating systems, Net Applications recorded a 9.73 percent share for Mac OS X—again, slightly lower than last month's 9.77 percent share. Apple has yet to officially crack the 10 percent mark, and it may have to wait for the economy to recover some before that will happen. Linux gained a tenth of a percent, as did iPhone OS, which is in fourth place behind Linux (in third) by Net Applications' reckoning. Windows saw another decline, and has been steadily declining for the past year.

News source: Ars Technica

AT&T Wants to Keep iPhone Exclusivity Until 2011

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:21:54 +0100

AT&T wants to remain the exclusive U.S. iPhone provider until 2011 and is pressuring Apple to extend their business arrangement that is set to expire in 2010, according to reports. Apple is tight-lipped about the talks and only will comment it has "a great relationship with AT&T," according to the source of the story The Wall Street Journal.

It's not hard to understand why AT&T wants to hold onto the iPhone. Apple says it has sold 17 million devices since introducing the iPhone in 2007, and the popularity of Apple's iPhone doesn't show any signs of slowing. In the second half of 2008, AT&T says it nabbed 4.3 million iPhone subscribers, 40 percent of whom were new to AT&T. With the iPhone OS 3.0 launching this summer, and rumors swirling about new iPhone models, AT&T may see another influx of new customers before the fall.

News source: PC World

This Tuesday�s iPhone 3.0 well hit and new 15 features.

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:08:08 +0100

This week iPhone well hit 3.0 software versions. The iPhone 2.0 software update of July 2008 added. Apple has now had more than 20 months to grow and refine the iPhone. A bunch of interesting new features, there are still plenty of other features in iPhone 3.0.

Now we present our latest list of the 15 features we hope we’ll see at Tuesday’s iPhone 3.0 announcement events in Cupertino. Some of them are old standards; others are fresh and new.

Systemwide cut/copy/paste
Push notifications and/or background apps
Landscape mode in every Apple app
Improvements to Mail
Sync notes and to-dos
Better app organization
Customizable tones
Full Bluetooth support
MMS
Video capture
Turn-by-turn directions
Application data sharing and syncing
Spotlight for iPhone
Share Internet with a Mac or PC
Voice dialing

News source: Macworld

Apple new Voice Over controls for iPod shuffle

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:03:26 +0100

Apple has added the remote control features of the new iPod shuffle. Those have now- standard earphones with an integrated remote that includes voice feedback and visual signals from an indicator light.

The remote features the same center click button and volume up and down toggle controls as the most recent generation of new iPods released last fall. The new remote features also work with the latest generation of unibody MacBooks and with iPhones and the second generation iPod touch, all of which are equipped with a special four-conductor headphone jack to support the control features.

News source: AppleInsider

Apple developed 10-inch touchscreens from Taiwan

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:33:29 +0100

In Wednesday, Reuters a wrong report published. In the report saying the touchscreens ordered by the Apple company measure 10 inches diagonally.

The Reuters outlet pointed to an unnamed source who said the Cupertino-based electronics maker "will take third-quarter delivery of newly developed 10-inch touchscreens from Taiwan." The source, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to talk to the media, added the screens would come from long-time iPhone touchscreen supplier Wintek, which resides in Taiwan.

As was the case with the sources of a similar article run Tuesday by Dow Jones, the insider speaking to Reuters maintained no knowledge of "what the final product would be."

Last fall, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs referred to the segment as a "nascent category" while adding that to the best of his knowledge, "there's not a lot of them being sold."

That said, he noted that Apple keeps a close eye on netbooks, and even went on to tease that the company has "some pretty interesting ideas" should the segment evolve into something bigger.

News source: AppleInsider

Future of Macworld Expo up in the air

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:05:24 +0100

Macworld Expo will go on in 2010 without Apple's participation, but what will it look like? And will anybody show up?

We might get an idea Wednesday evening, when IDG World Expo plans to hold a town-hall style meeting open to Macworld attendees to solicit ideas for the future of the show. Apple stunned IDG in December with its decision to pull out of the show completely. It also pulled CEO Steve Jobs from his usual starring role and had Phil Schiller deliver what was widely considered one of Apple's most lackluster Macworld keynote speeches in years.

A handful of conference goers interviewed following Tuesday's final keynote address from Apple cautiously endorsed the idea of an Apple-less Macworld, but said a lot would depend on how the show itself is constructed.

IPhone developer laments glut of free and cheap apps

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:15:37 +0100

Have you noticed that every day, or at least it seems, there are hundreds of new applications to sift through in the iTunes App Store? Apple has racked up 10,000 downloadable programs for its iPhone and iPod Touch. And many, if not most, cost no more than 99 cents. Great, right?

Well, not really, says developer Craig Hockenberry. His argument: The proliferation of what he calls "ringtone apps" -- low-cost, high-interest applications that are shiny and flashy and not terribly complicated and shoot their way up the top 10 list -- is deterring the development of more advanced offerings.

Hockenberry's company, the Iconfactory, has released three apps: Twitterific, which is free; Frenzic, which costs $5; and Twitterific Premium, which costs $10. Twitterific, which helps iPhone users Twitter better, is listed in Apple's Best of 2008.

So, Hockenberry has written an open letter to Apple CEO Steve Jobs explaining the effect on his business. The developer writes on his blog:

We have a lot of great ideas for iPhone applications. Unfortunately, we’re not working on the cooler (and more complex) ideas. Instead, we’re working on 99¢ titles that have a limited lifespan and broad appeal. Market conditions make ringtone apps most appealing.

So the focus shifts to more superficial and cheap.

Why the rush to turn iTunes into the 99-cents-only App Store? Hockenberry surmises it may have something to do with the fact that folks are buying these apps sight unseen. As those of us frequent buyers know, sometimes there aren't any reviews listed -- and even when they are there, some of those can be suspect.

Some customers do complain when an app is above that 99-cent price point. But, he asks, do consumers do that with Starbucks?

Well, although consumption of Starbucks and iPhone apps could both qualify as an addiction of sorts, at least with a cup of coffee -- whether a skinny hazelnut latte or a half-caf mochaccino -- you know what you're going to get.

His argument is that, yes, Koi Pond and Ocarina are fun and cool, but the quick-hit approach could discourage the creation of that transformative utility, which probably would cost in real dollars and human resources. Maybe this could be an argument for instituting trial versions for download.

News source: Los Angeles Times

Apple Back off on its Anti-Virus Suggestion for Mac

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:24:14 +0100

Apple has quietly removed its recommendation from its knowledgebase that suggests that Mac requires anti-virus software. According to the BBC, the article posted on November 21 was an update to a 2007 entry. The company has received a PR nightmare after the article was quietly removed from its website.

“We have removed the KnowledgeBase article because it was old and inaccurate. The Mac is designed with built-in technologies that provide protection against malicious software and security threats right out of the box,” explained Bill Evans, Apple’s spokesperson. “However, since no system can be 100% immune from every threat, running antivirus software may offer additional protection,” he added further.

Apple has always re-iterated that Mac was more robust than Windows PCs and safer to use. Their rationale is that the Unix user architecture and security policies in Mac OS X make it inherently much more secure than its Windows counterparts (though not bulletproof) therefore not needing the antivirus protection necessary in PC boxes. Bloggers all over the world have excoriated Apple accusing the company to back off on its anti-virus stance. Apple had subtly claimed that Mac PCs were completely safe from viruses and other malware, even if not completely immune. However, experts had always warned users repeatedly that all operating systems are susceptible to viruses and as Mac gains popularity, it becomes more susceptible to viruses, etc.

Till now Mac users had refrained from opting for memory-eating anti-virus software that their Microsoft counterparts have used religiously. Some Mac users called the whole incident as nothing more than a storm in the teacup and still believe that Mac’s operating system provides adequate protection against threats. Contrary to the ongoing debate regarding the statement, security experts feel that Mac users should startbuying anti-virus software.

News source: ChattahBox

Apple Sued Over iPhone Browser

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:28:05 +0100

A Los Angeles real estate developer is suing Apple for patent infringement over the way the iPhone navigates Web sites. The suit, which was filed on behalf of EMG Technology, seeks unspecified damages.

EMG Technology is a company that holds the patents of Elliot Gottfurcht, the real estate developer, as well as Marlo Longstreet and Grant Gottfurcht. The company claims that the iPhone infringes on patent 7, 441, 196- a patent that was approved only last month, after a filing process that began on March 13, 2006.

That patent is for an invention that displays "on-line content reformatted from a webpage in a hypertext markup language (HTML) format into an extensible markup language (XML) format to generate a sister site." This sister site is a simplified version of the original site that is then displayed on any number of devices--including cell phones, EMG says.

Now, it seems to me that this is a description of what every single mobile phone on the market does. Every mobile phone EXCEPT the iPhone, that is. Remember all those commercials touting how the iPhone doesn't display a simplified Web site, but the full Web page?

The press release issued by EMG claims that the iPhone uses the same method as their invention. So, doesn't every other mobile phone do this as well? Should a patent granted last month hand over intellectual property rights for every single handheld device that accesses the Web?

This is just the latest of several lawsuits against Apple for the iPhone including an allegation in January by Minerva Industries that the iPhone was similar in concept to their own idea for a "Mobile Entertainment and Communication device," and then a suit in March over visual voicemail.

EMG is represented by Stanley Gibson of Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro (JMBM). In 2005, Gibson won a patent infringement lawsuit for Gary Michelson M.D. against Medtronic, which resulted in one of the largest payments ever for an intellectual property dispute.

Google Launches Google Earth for iPhone & iPod touch

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:37:34 +0100

Google today launched Google Earth for iPhone and iPod touch. The application is a near-complete port of Google Earth from Mac OS X. It takes advantage of the iPhone’s (and iPod touch’s) accelerometer, as well as iPhone’s GPS system.

The application relies on the Open GL-ES support inside of Mac OS X. The Google Earth team noted that only Android contains equal power in the mobile field. While Windows Mobile carries Microsoft’s competing Direc3D Mobile, it is crippled due to lack of drivers in devices, and lack of a comprehensive tool set.

While the team did touch on Android during their announcement, the Google Earth team stressed that they have no announcement ready for Google Earth on other platforms.

Google Earth for iPhone and iPod touch is free, and available now on Apple’s App Store.

source: PhoneNews.com

Apple donates $100,000 to fight same-sex marriage ban

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 17:28:25 +0100

Apple is contributing $100,000 to fight Proposition 8, the California ballot measure that would define marriage as only between a man and a woman. The company's announcement today came as the fight over Prop. 8 grows hotly contested, with recent polls showing the race tightening.

The Cupertino, Calif.-based company said in a statement:

Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees' same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person's fundamental rights-- including the right to marry -- should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8.

Apple becomes the latest prominent Silicon Valley company to speak out against the measure. Google's founders gave $140,000 to the "No on 8" campaign -- $100,000 from Sergey Brin and $40,000 from Larry Page, the San Jose Mercury News reported today. The Internet company, based in Mountain View, Calif., had earlier taken the unusual step of publicly opposing the measure, which would ban same-sex marriage, saying it would have a "chilling and discriminatory effect" on many of its employees.

Some supporters of Prop. 8 have said they would protest businesses that actively oppose the measure unless they make similar donations to ProtectMarriage.com, which is trying to overturn the California Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriages.

"Our campaign is a campaign of the people," Sonja Eddings Brown, deputy communications director on Yes on 8, said today following Apple's announcement. "We knew we would never be able to compete with the large corporations and Hollywood. We represent the families. We are standing up and pushing back with everything we have."

source: Los Angeles Times

18 Year Old Targeted in Jobs Heart Attack Rumor

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:50:19 +0100

A U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into a false report that Apple CEO Steve Jobs had a heart attack has been focusing on an 18 year old boy. The teen posted the rumor on CNN's iReport Web site and sent Apple's market value down by some US$4.8 billion in an hour, according to Bloomberg.

The SEC has yet to determine the teen's motive behind the rumor, but at this point it doesn't appear that he was attempting to manipulate Apple's stock value for personal gain.

The bogus report about Mr. Jobs's health appeared on the iReport Web site on the morning of October 3. iReport is CNN's Web site where readers can post their own unverified news stories.

The report said in part "Steve Jobs was rushed to the ER just a few hours ago after suffering a major heart attack. I have an insider who tells me that paramedics were called after Steve claimed to be suffering from severe chest pains and shortness of breath."

Apple representatives publicly denied the heart attack rumor shortly after it surfaced which helped its stock stabilize and begin the slow climb back up to its opening position for the day.

If the SEC determines that the teen's actions weren't intended to manipulate Apple's stock value, it may not have jurisdiction to file charges. That does not, however, preclude other government agencies from pursuing criminal or civil charges in the case.

source: The Mac Observer

OpenOffice.org Ships for Mac OS X

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 05:13:00 +0100

OpenOffice.org last week released the first version of its open-source application suite written for Mac OS X .

Although the organization's Web site is back online -- it was knocked offline for several hours on Monday as demand exceeded server capacity -- the version now available is bare-bones. Users can access the 163MB download installer, however.

OpenOffice.org issued a beta of its flagship suite five months ago , but Monday's release marked the first final code from the open-source project that doesn't require Mac users to install X11, a Unix windowing environment.

The new OpenOffice.org 3.0 runs only on Intel -based Macs; systems powered by the older PowerPC processors can download and run an older 2.x edition that requires X11.

OpenOffice.org 3.0 includes a slew of new features and improvements to the suite's word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and database applications. Other enhancements and additions include support for the new file formats that debuted in Microsoft Office 2007 and Microsoft Office for Mac 2008.

OpenOffice.org is one of the few rivals of Microsoft Corp.'s market-leading Microsoft Office suite. The current Mac version, Office 2008 for Mac, starts at US$149. Apple Inc. also sells a suite, dubbed iWork '08, that offers a word processor, spreadsheet and presentation maker. IWork retails for $79 for a single-user license, $99 for a five-license family pack.

Another open-source competitor, NeoOffice, is currently at Version 2.2.5, but Version 3.0 debuts in mid-November to users who have donated $25 or more to the project since late August. The update will be available to all users free of charge on Jan. 15, 2009.

News source: PC World

Future MacBook Pro-bound Intel chips due next spring

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:18:53 +0100

The next time Apple will have the opportunity to boost the processor specifications of its MacBook Pro line will be next spring, when Intel pushes out a final update to its Montevina platform consisting of two high-performance mobile chips, according to reports.

Apple's current MacBook Pros employ a "P" series, medium voltage (25W) P8600 2.4GHz chip at the low end, and a "T" series, standard voltage (35W) T9400 2.53GHz chip at the high end.

The T series chip costs the company roughly $32 less than the P series, according to pricing estimates published on the web, but runs slightly hotter. Apple also offers a build-to-order option on the MacBook Pro that lets customers choose a "T" series, standard voltage (35W) T9600 2.8GHz chip for a $300 premium. The chip costs the company roughly $200 to $250 more than the 2.53GHz variants, according to estimates.

Citing sources at Taiwanese notebook makers, DigiTimes claims Intel will refresh these Montevina-based Core 2 Duo offerings in April by adding two new variants: a P8800 running at 2.66GHz and a T9900 clocking in at 3.06GHz.

VR-Zone earlier in the week provided corroborating evidence to this end via a series of leaked Intel roadmap presentation slides. The visuals list the two chips as arriving anytime from mid-to-late second quarter, which runs April through June.

At this juncture, Apple could presumably bump its 15-inch MacBook Pro configurations up to standard frequencies as high as 2.66GHz and 2.8GHz, with a 3.06GHz build-to-order option. Alternatively, it could inch standard configurations up to 2.53GHz and 2.66GHz, leaving the 2.8GHz and 3.06GHz chips as potential build-to-order choices. It should be noted, however, the 17-inch unibody MacBook Pro should be in the mix by this time, potentially adopting one of the remaining high-end chips, such as the 2.8GHz.

News source: AppleInsider

Apple denies MailWrangler iPhone app for potential confusion

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:42:47 +0100

The denial and removal of applications from the App Store has become a hot-button issue and adding fuel to the fire is news from over the weekend that Apple has blocked another program.

Angelo DiNardi’s MailWrangler aimed to simplify the lives of those using multiple Gmail accounts by allowing them to log into different accounts simultaneously and quickly switch back and forth between them.

Unlike the built-in Mail client, MailWrangler embeds WebKit and allows users to access their Gmail via the iPhone-friendly web interface. This allows access to various features that aren’t supported by the iPhone’s Mail program, such as starring messages, threading, and Google contacts. MailWrangler also offers advantages over using the iPhone's Safari web browser, specifically in allowing users to stay logged into multiple accounts without having to manually log in every session.

After waiting for about six weeks, DiNardi finally got a response from Apple that denied MailWrangler on the basis that:

… Your application duplicates the functionality of the built-in iPhone application Mail without providing sufficient differentiation or added functionality, which will lead to user confusion. …

“Duplication” previously became a watchword in Apple denials after the application Podcaster was denied for duplicating features of iTunes. DiNardi thinks the additional features that MailPlane offers to Gmail users makes it sufficiently different from Apple’s own Mail application; he even points out there’s an application for the Mac called MailPlane that does roughly the same thing, suggesting that there is at least some sort of user demand for this functionality.

The issue of “user confusion” seems to me that it would depend more on how the application is marketed. If it was clearly described as something to allow quick and easy access to multiple Gmail accounts, it seems like the kind of confusion that Apple is envisioning could easily be avoided. Apple has let in third-party apps that add more features than their own built-in programs, such as notepad programs like MagicPad—where's the line for "duplicating" functionality?

In my opinion—and yes, this is my opinion—the confusion issue is a bit of a red herring. Apple seems to have no issue with a score of different Sudoku apps or applications with the same name. Sure, it’s Apple’s store and they can take their toys and go home any time they want. But it seems like it would go a long way for Apple to at least cultivate the perception that everybody in the store—themselves included—are playing by the same rules.

Apple recalls iPhone 3G power adapter

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 09:28:41 +0100

Cupertino (CA) – Apple is recalling USB power adapters that shipped as part of the iPhone 3G package in the U.S., Japan, Canada, Mexico, and numerous Latin American countries. Apple customers who purchased the phone can exchange the adapter via web order or simply by visiting Apple stores beginning October 10.

Apple today indicated a design flaw in its “ultracompact” USB power adapters supplied with the iPhone 3G or as a standalone accessory, which can cause the prongs to break off and remain in the power outlet, creating the risk of electric shock. The company said that it has received reports of “detached” prongs but no injuries.

The affected power adapters were exclusively sold in the U.S., Japan, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica and Panama. The company recommends customers in these countries to stop using their adapters “immediately” until they exchange them for a new, redesigned adapter. In the meantime, the company suggests users to charge their iPhone 3G through the USB cable that connects to a PC, by using a standard-sized Apple USB Power Adapter (with fold up prongs) or by using a third party adapter designed to work with the iPhone, such as a car charger.

Apple said that replacement adapters will be available beginning on October 10. Customers who received their adapter as part of the iPhone 3G or through a separate accessory purchase can get their replacement adapters through Apple retail stores or through web order. According to Apple, adapters ordered via Internet wills hip within three weeks of the order, starting on October 10.

Replacement USB power adapters are marked with a green dot at the bottom.

Apple decided to bypass the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission with this recall and did not provide any information how many products are affected. However, with a confirmed shipment of more than 1 million iPhones 3Gs during the device’s launch weekend of June 9, as well as Q3 (July-September) shipment estimates of 4 to 8 million, units it is safe to assume that Apple will have to replace several million USB power adapters in the 14 countries the unit was sold.

© 2008 Tigervision Media

A new try of buy once, play anywhere � without Apple

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 20:58:55 +0100

Los Angeles (CA) – The effort of making legal digital media available to consumers in convenient ways across many devices has been an industry disaster defined by piracy paranoia, lawsuits, exaggerated copy protection policies, locked down technology platforms and corporate interests that mostly ignored consumer interests. Now there is a new industry organization that aims to come up with industry standards to enable consumers to acquire and play content across a wide range of services and devices. 16 key players from Hollywood and Silicon Valley are part of this initiative. Notably absent is Apple, which obviously has not much interest in creating an open media download spec.

In fact, the initiative announced late last week is especially seen as the result of built-up frustration how Apple ties down the digital media market with its iTunes Store, which is said to hold about 70% of the music download market and recently was listed as the largest music retailer in the U.S. – ahead of Wal-Mart. Part of the newly founded Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem (DECE) are the content studios Fox Entertainment Group¸ NBC Universal and Warner Bros., technology firms Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, HP, Intel, Microsoft, Philips, Sony, Toshiba and Verisign as well as distributors Best Buy (which today acquired Napster) and Comcast.

What is significant of this group is the fact that each one of the technology firms is a fierce rival of Apple and had at least one inconvenient confrontation with the company in recent years. The exception here is Intel, but the chip manufacturer has been trying to open the door to Hollywood for some time now and this initiative could be an easier way for the company to attract for of Hollywood’s spotlight.

According to the DECE, the organization wants to address growing consumer confusion around buying, downloading and playing digital content offered by multiple services by working toward a simple, uniform digital media experience.

Sometime in the future, the group aims to issue a licensable specification, along with a recognizable brand and logo for compliant products and services “that will assure consumers that content they download will play on their devices.” The specification is promised to be based on industry standards that outline the hardware and software requirements. It will also include definitions how consumers can share media across multiple devices.

DECE said that it will seek broader industry support across the content, software, hardware, retailer and service provider sectors, but it is apparent that, at least at this time, the approach is not compatible with Apple’s business model. Apple has closely tied its iTunes software to its hardware. In the early 2000s, iTunes was positioned as a tool to promote iPod hardware, but as iTunes sales as well as App Store sales are climbing, that model appears to be shifting. It may be exactly this trend that could prompt Apple in the future to open its stores to more devices.

DECE is not the first industry effort to come up with a media spec. For example, there is the Coral Consortium a (Sony-led) cross-industry group to promote interoperability between digital rights management (DRM) technologies used in the consumer media market. DRM isn’t an exactly sexy topic to talk about and public exposure of these approaches has been very limited, which may be their single most important problem. Consumers have been driving digital media acquisition and usage trends pretty much since the rise and fall of Napster, while especially the music and movie industry has been trying to establish new media acquisition and usage environments based on trial-and-error scenarios that test how much restrictions consumers are willing to accept.

Apple has a tight grip on the market and it is questionable if an effort such as proposed by the DECE can be successful. However, we would hope that the organization will openly discuss its thoughts with consumers and not develop another spec in secrecy.

© 2008 Tigervision Media